DELHI PUBLIC

SCHOOL KALINGA

TITLE
AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS – FEMINISM / GENDER
INEQUALITY

NAME: SWOSTI DEEPA MOHAPATRA

CLASS: XII J
ROLL NO.:27
GUIDED BY: NITA PATTNAIK
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt
gratitude to all those who have helped me in
completing the project entitled “AUNT
JENNIFER’S TIGERS – FEMINISM/GENDER
INEQUALITY” for the partial fulfillment of SSSCE
2025–26 under CBSE.

I am extremely thankful to our respected

Principal Mr. SUVABRATA MUKHARJEE for his
valuable guidance and support. I also express my
sincere thanks to my English teacher for her/his
constant encouragement, insightful feedback,
and motivation throughout the project.

I extend my appreciation to my family and

friends for their cooperation and assistance in
completing this work. Lastly, I am thankful to
CBSE for providing this wonderful opportunity to
explore the theme of women’s empowerment
and gender equality through literature.
Ultimately, the work of feminism must be
intersectional, recognizing that women's
experiences are not monolithic but are shaped
by the compounding effects of other identities
such as race, class, sexual orientation, and
ability.
Moving forward, an effective strategy requires:
* Policy Reform: Implementing and enforcing
laws that ensure equal opportunities in
education, health, and economic participation.
* Challenging Social Norms: Actively combating
social stigma and harmful stereotypes through
education and public awareness campaigns.
* Empowerment and Participation: Investing in
the economic and political empowerment of
women and marginalized genders, ensuring
their equal voice and representation in all
decision-making spaces.
By fostering a society built on inclusivity,
empathy, and intersectional justice, we can
move closer to a world where gender is no
longer a determinant of one's rights, access, or
destiny.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT

1. To explore the theme of gender inequality

and female oppression in the poem “Aunt
Jennifer’s Tigers.”

2. To understand the contrast between Aunt

Jennifer’s reality and the freedom of her
embroidered tigers.

3. To analyze how patriarchal pressure and

societal expectations affect a woman’s
identity and self-expression.

4. To examine the use of symbolism in

portraying women’s struggles for
independence and strength.
5. To highlight the importance of women’s
empowerment and creative freedom.

6. To foster awareness, empathy, and

respect towards women’s emotions and
challenges in a male-dominated society.

7. To encourage equality, self-expression,

and freedom for women in all
aspects of life.
 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of this ASL project is to explore

the theme of Gender Inequality and
Feminism in the poem “Aunt Jennifer’s
Tigers” from our English book Flamingo.
Through a contemporary interview with a
married woman expressing her struggle for
freedom and identity, this project aims to
investigate the condition of women in a
patriarchal society. It analyzes the contrast
between Aunt Jennifer’s imaginary world of
fearless tigers and her real-life oppression,
examining how gender roles, societal
expectations, and lack of freedom influence
women’s emotions, creativity,
and relationships.
 CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

This is to certify that Swosti Deepa Mohapatra

of Class XII-J, of Humanities bearing Roll No.
27 has successfully completed and submitted
the project entitled “AUNT JENNIFER'S TIGERS:
AN ANALYSIS OF FEMINISM AND PATRIARCHAL
OPPRESSION” in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the English Core (Subject
Code: 301) curriculum of CBSE, NEW DELHI for
the academic session 2025-26 under my
personal guidance and supervision.

Date:- ______________________

Signature of Teacher
 ACTION PLAN
❖ Selection of Theme and Text
The project began with the selection of the
theme of Gender Inequality and Feminism,
focusing on the poem “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers”
from the Flamingo textbook.

❖ Research and Preparation

Extensive research was conducted to
understand the poem’s message, symbolism,
and representation of women’s struggles in a
patriarchal society. The poet’s background and
feminist perspective were also studied to gain
a deeper understanding.

❖ Identifying a Woman for Interview

A married woman was identified for the
interview to share her views and personal
experiences related to gender roles, societal
expectations, and the need for independence
and self-expression.
 ❖ Conducting the Interview
An interview was conducted to gather the
woman’s opinions, emotions, and real-life
reflections that connect with Aunt Jennifer’s
situation in the poem.

❖ Data Compilation
All the information gathered from the poem
analysis, research work, and interview
responses was carefully compiled and
organized to prepare a
comprehensive project report.
STEPS TAKEN FOR
THE PROJECT

The following steps were executed to

ensure the success of this project –

➢ Conduct research on gender

inequality and feminism as reflected in
the poem “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers.”

➢ Study the poet Adrienne Rich’s

background and her views on women’s
empowerment.

➢ Analyze the symbols and imagery

used in the poem, such as the tigers,
ring, and embroidery.
➢ Gather data through interviews or
discussions with women about their real-
life experiences related to freedom,
identity, and social expectations.

➢ Review articles, essays, and feminist

writings to connect literature with real-
life gender issues.

➢ Create awareness materials like

posters or presentations highlighting
women’s strength and creativity.

➢ Compile all research findings,

interpretations, and interview insights
into a well-organized project report
promoting equality and empowerment.
MATERIAL EVIDENCE
INTERVIEW WITH A 27-YEAR-OLD PROFESSIONAL
Interviewer: Good morning! Thank you for
agreeing to speak with me today. To start, what
is the first thing that comes to mind when I say
the word "feminism," and what does it mean to
you?
Interviewee: Good morning! The first thing that
comes to mind is human rights. To me, feminism
is the belief that men and women should be
treated equally and have equal access to
opportunities and resources. It’s about achieving
full human potential regardless of gender.
Interviewer: That's a strong definition. Do you
believe that equality among men and women has
been fully achieved today, particularly in the
workplace?
Interviewee: Absolutely not. While we have made
progress, persistent inequalities exist. I have
seen and experienced being underestimated in
my field due to my gender. There is still a gender
pay gap, and women are underrepresented in
leadership and technical roles. The "glass ceiling"
is very real.
Interviewer: Have you encountered any particular
challenges due to traditional gender stereotypes,
Interviewer: Have you encountered any particular
challenges due to traditional gender stereotypes,
and how did you respond to them?
Interviewee: Early in my career, I faced the
stereotype that women are not as adept in
technical or aggressive roles. I responded by
proactively showcasing my skills and
accomplishments and by consistently
demonstrating my capability in leading diverse
teams. It taught me the importance of resilience
and confidence.
Interviewer: We often talk about gender roles. Do
you think it is more socially acceptable for
women to be "masculine" than for men to be
"feminine"?
Interviewee: That's insightful. Yes, generally, a
woman adopting traditionally "masculine" traits
like assertiveness is often more accepted than a
man expressing "feminine" traits like being
gentle or sensitive. True gender equality requires
that we allow people to achieve their potential
based on their abilities, not on arbitrarily
assigned gender roles.

Interviewee: Companies must implement

inclusive policies in hiring and promotions,
Interviewer: What will you suggest to
companies in addressing the gender divide and
increasing women's representation?
Interviewee: Companies must implement
inclusive policies in hiring and promotions,
focusing on knowledge and skills. They should
promote programs for women in leadership
and technical fields, and offer flexible work
policies to help women manage both
professional and family commitments.
Interviewer: Finally, what advice would you give
to young people who want to be more
supportive of feminism and gender equality?
Interviewee: My advice is to question power
and the social norms around you. Be an
advocate for change, both on social media and
within your circle of friends. Remember that
gender equality is not just a women's issue, it is
a human rights issue that benefits every
member of society.
LIST OF RESOURCES

1. ARTICLE FROM:

YOUTUBE

2. INTERVIEW:

[Link]
h?v=pbkj
 CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, the project on feminism and
gender inequality highlights that despite
significant progress, gender inequality remains a
pervasive global challenge. From the persistence
of the gender wage gap and underrepresentation
in leadership to the prevalence of gender-based
violence, systemic obstacles continue to hinder
the ability of all individuals to achieve their full
potential regardless of their gender.
Key Takeaways and Path Forward
This challenge underscores the enduring
necessity of feminist thought and action.
Feminism, at its core, is the belief in social,
economic, and political equality of the sexes,
serving as a critical lens to expose and dismantle
patriarchal structures and discriminatory norms.
Achieving true gender equality is not just a moral
imperative but is also essential for fostering
peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable societies.
 SIGNATURE

1. SIGNATURE OF EXTERNAL
EXAMINER.

____________________________

2. SIGNATURE OF INTERNAL
EXAMINER.

_______________________________